Microsoft to use external security patch testers

In order to improve, and speed up, the creation and release of security patches Microsoft will start a closed beta program for external testing teams.

The formalization of Redmond's new Security Update Validation Program clears the way for external patch testers to get "limited and controlled access" to security updates ahead of public release.

The goal, according to company officials, is to provide a small number of dedicated external evaluation teams with access to the patches to test for application compatibility, stability and reliability in simulated production environments.